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The powder is better.
The colors also do not match which was my biggest problem with it. I wear Medium Beige in the powder and it's perfect. This stuff is about one shade too light. I was color matched at Sephora and they advised the Medium Beige in the Ready Foundation was the best match for me. It seemed fine, until I looked in my car mirrors while outside in daylight. I took it back and switched it for the powder. If the colors matched perfectly like the powder, I would've tried using it longer.
I have 2 red, blemishes and it did seem to cover them up better than the powder and concealer brush..but since this is the only thing new I have used, this product might actually have given them to me in the first place. I saw another reviewer also mention breakouts since using it. It might even be good as a concealer underneath the powder.
I bought this thinking it'd be like other compacts that typically come with some kind of brush making it super easy to use while on the go. Nobody at Sephora mentioned that it doesn't. Not being easy to use on the go kind of defeats the purpose for me. You still have to kind of tap it and make a mess everywhere.
08/03/2013

I loved it at first too
Although I don't think it lived up to its selling point of "lasting 12 hours," like the person in the salon told me, I did like the even coverage at first, especially with the new brush designed for it. First one was about 1/2 way gone when I dropped it, and it broke. OK, I figured I'd have to be more careful. Now that I'm 1/2 way through the second one, and the center is getting thinner, and this one cracked into pieces, without dropping it. Now it's impossible to use without wasting a lot of it! Too bad, I like the first 1/2 each time, but at $27, I can't really afford to throw 1/2 away.
08/03/2013

I wanted to love it....
I really loved this product at first. I loved it so much I went out and bought another one; 1 for home and 1 for the gym. The one in my gym bag gets tossed around a little bit and cracked and started falling out when opened, making a huge mess of small foundation pieces, I had to toss it. The one at home I dropped a few inches into the sink and has now suffered the same fate. I think it just breaks too easily and when it does break, it breaks into a million different pieces and cannot be salvaged.
08/02/2013

Going back to the original powder
I tried this on in a Bare Minerals store and loved it at first because the color was perfect and had great coverage. However the gal at the counter did tell me the colors are different from the powders. I am a light in the original powder and a med beige in this product. Once I got it home and continued using it I had more breakouts then I have had in the past 10 years. My skin seemed more oily from using this product, I normally have combination skin. I am still young so I don't really have wrinkles but yet the cakeyness of this foundation would create lines on my face. It does have good coverage if you have blemishes, but it was creating more zits and blemishes. I am going back to the original powder. I didn't have any of these issues with that product. I also dropped the compact on the floor within the first week. So it crumbled making it extremely hard to not make a giant mess/waste product, this is one pro to the powder because if I drop it its already in a powder form.
07/27/2013

Better than MAC
I tried the Bare Minerals foundation before and liked the coverage but didn't like the mess so much. I was excited to see and hear that they had a Ready Foundation!! I love it!! It cover great and is light weight. I love it better than MAC and I used it for years and this is much better in my opinion!!
07/24/2013

Nice coverage without looking Fake!
It's not as blendable as the other 2 foundations Bare Escentuals has but I like the coverage. Also it doesn't tell you what brush to use for it but I use a full body brush to apply this foundation. It can get a bit messy with powder everywhere since it's a solid compact and using a brush with it instead of a sponge. There is no sponge or applicator that comes with this compact foundation. For me the coverage is enough with 1 applications with a brush without tapping the brush. I love the color ranges it has, my skin tone is a perfect match with color W20 (Golden Medium) in the fall to mid spring.
07/20/2013

your skin but better
I tried the READY foundation during debut on QVC but sent it back because I thought it wasn't good for my combo skin type. Decided to give it another try when it came w/the QVC TSV and so glad I did! I bought same two shades that I use with original, one for winter/summer, and they both matched. The finish is dewy and full coverage. I took it to Aruba and it did not budge with the heat and sweat, even when swimming. It leaves a subtle glow to my skin and in my opinion, makes it look clear and porcelain-like. Has not clogged my pores and I find that it helps control my oil production which is AMAZING. LOVE BAREMINERALS FOR LIFE
07/19/2013

Perfect Make-Up
I have very oily skin and I usually cannot gain decent coverage without a liquid foundation and a matte finish to keep my make-up on all day long. This make-up doesn't smudge or melt away like other make-ups. Its coverage is awesome and it always looks flawless on!
07/18/2013

100% Improvement over loose minerals
Ok, so Ive been using the bareMinerals loose foundation in Medium Beige for years. Ive used both the Matte and the Origional. As I get older, Ive decided that more coverage is what I need. Well I went to the bareMinerals boutique in my local area to get color matched as per the video in this website, and other reviews. Suprisingly enough, I was the same medium beige!
I cannot express how much better this product is for me. First of all the application is faster and easier. No buffing. Less waste, less mess. It looks dewey and supple. It feels creamy yet light. I feel like Im wearing no makeup, but look great! I also bought the retractble angle brush to apply this product, which I think is key. This has a flawless finish and really does last all day. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!!!
07/11/2013

Best foundation on the market!
My skin was always a challenge for me - acne prone, sensitive, allergy prone, and combination areas. I tried Bare Minerals four years ago and I've been using it since. The READY Foundation is my favorite. I prefer it to the Original loose powder foundations. My suggestions for best results: 1) Get "Color-matched". It applies lighter than the loose powders. 2) Invest in the Precision Face Brush. It saves time and product. I use very little product and light strokes. I get numerous compliments on my skin.
07/09/2013

No way
I've used the loose powder for years. I was ready for a little more coverage and welcomed the new compact version. This foundation was not for me. It did not go on smoothly and did not blend well (I also purchased the recommended brush). It accentuated every wrinkle and poor on my face even with a primer. My face looks very flat and matted. I agree with the other reviewer that is was a very unnatural look. I am taking this back right away!
07/06/2013

It takes some practice, but it's worth it!
So, I see around online that there are a lot of complaints about the shades, the loss of product, etc. and I totally understand the frustration. Hopefully this review will help with some of that.
First of all, yeah, you'll need to get shade matched for the pressed Ready foundation. Which sucks, I know - if you can't get to a Sephora or a Bare Minerals store, if you have to order online, then what do you do? I think Bare Minerals should have taken some extra time, if that's what was necessary, to do some extra work and make sure the shades matched in the pressed and the loose. It's a problem in their matte formulation too - they didn't shade match that either, and it's way too dark in every shade, even Fair. But I don't like the matte, so it's not a problem for me, but I can see it being problematic for others.
In the loose original BM, I'm straight up Golden Fair. But in the pressed Ready foundation, I'm Fairly Light, which I could never ever wear in the loose.
All that being said, I LOVE the way the pressed Fairly Light matches my skin tone. It's as close to perfect as I've ever gotten. So my advice is, if you can get shade matched, it's well worth it.
As for applying it - yes, there is a trick. The girl at the BM store said it's completely different than the usual "swirl/tap/buff" method. First, if you have a flat-topped brush, it works much better than a kabuki. Second, very very gently tap the top of the brush directly down onto the foundation, don't sweep it across. Sweeping it will give you too much fallout of product, and you'll have nowhere to put it. So a straight down tapping motion with a flat brush, almost like you were blotting the powder with the brush, gets enough on there without a lot of fallout and wasted product, and without getting too much onto your face at once. Then begin applying as normal. You may have to do a couple of lighter layers with this method, and build it more, but it's worth it. Just remember to use a very, very light hand with getting it onto the brush.
Hope all of this helps! I love this enough that I truly think it deserves a full five hearts. The more I wear this, the more I love it even more than the regular loose! Once you get the right application down with the right brush, the coverage and finish are gorgeous!
07/05/2013

Cakey Disappointment
After using the original foundation for three years then switching to the matte foundation for another three years, I tried the Ready foundation when hearing so much praise from the Bare Escentuals saleslady. I was so excited to try the new foundation that was compact, had a built-in mirror, and was supposed to last 4 hours longer. What a disappointment. I have worn the Ready foundation many times now, and every time I put it on I somehow convince myself the outcome will be different. But no, it is always cakey and always too pale. It's like putting on a new layer of skin that's WORSE than your own skin that you're trying to cover up! What is make-up for again???
Now I'm $30 short and racking my brain to figure out if I can give this foundation to someone so it won't go to waste. In the end, I know it'll go in the trash cause I'm not a mean enough person to let a friend wear such cakey make-up.
Back to matte I go, which is another $30...but it was really $60 since it took the first $30 to realize that I should've just bought the matte foundation in the first place.
07/04/2013

Wanted to love it, but...
Gosh, this sounded perfect! More moisturizing, amazing coverage, long wearing....but there isn't a color for me. I'm a perfect medium beige in the powder, but in the Ready, it looks chalky. With summer approaching, we decided that medium tan was my best bet. But it is too dark, and it just isn't right.
LESLIE, GIVE US MORE COLORS!!! PLEASE.!??
07/04/2013

READY to be Fabulous
This foundation covers much better than the loose powder foundation, but is still as light as the loose powder. The only downfall is that it does not last all day
07/03/2013

love Love LOVE!!!
I can not say how much I love this product. Don't get me wrong, I liked the loose powder, but this gives me more coverage in half the time. I have very oily skin, and so the loose powder didn't last all day for me. This comes pretty darn close. I use the oil control primer, then a little mineral veil, then I use the foundation. It takes all of 30 seconds to apply and I have great flawless healthly looking skin (great coverage even over my few blemishes as well) I always put a little mineral veil on top of the foundation for a little extra oil control. Without touch ups, I am a little oily at the end of the day, but nothing major. At night I am always surprised when I look in the mirror and see that I still have about 85% of the coverage that I started the morning with. :) (although I got to thinking that I rest my face on my hands a lot at work while reading something, so this could have something to do with the loss of coverage) I love Ready, and will never go back to anything else.
07/01/2013

Great coverage, not long-lasting
Disclaimer: I have super super oily skin, which means NO foundation lasts through the day. This is no exception. I do not use any moisturizer on my skin other than the Multi-wrinkle Repair and the Primer for oily skin. But oily and hydrated are not the same, so I really like that this is hydrating and the coverage is shockingly good. I also find that the wear improves by a final touch with the Ready Mineral Veil. Never liked the BM loose mineral products, what a mess! But have become a total convert to the brand thanks to the Ready product line!
06/27/2013

Love READY foundation
i have oily skin and do not like the feel of liquid makeup, but need something with more coverage than a basic powder. READY foundation is perfect! i love the way it goes on...effortless. it covers and gives me the powdery finish all day without separating in the memphis summer humidity. i use it with the oil control primer and the mineral veil with sparkles in it.
06/27/2013

Great coverage and lasts all day
I have very oily skin and occasional blemishes. This foundation when used on top of the mineral veil stays put all day even when I sweat. It covers blemishes and imperfections well. It is easy to get too much on so go easy when using it. I love the compact and the ease of using the product.
06/22/2013

Oily
I really like this foundation, but since using it my T-Zones have become much oiler!! I like the way it goes on & how it's so quick to apply and go, but my face gets too oily, maybe it will work better in the colder months, but it's back to the Original foundation, which never did that to my skin.
06/21/2013

Wish I didn't waste my money
I have been using the loose powder foundation since I was 17 (about 3 years) and have fallen in love with it. I have sensitive skin and it was the only foundation that didn't make me break out. I was about to head off to a semester abroad in England and when I saw the READY Foundation I thought it would be easier to travel with. It was easier to travel with but that is the only good thing about it. I went to get color matched so it wasn't the color that was the problem. It was how it sat on my skin. It made me look horrible. It made my pores look huge and when first applied it made my skin look extremely dry. Then after a few hours my face looked extremely oily. I have naturally skin but it has never looked that horrible when I used the Original. As soon as I came back to the States I went straight for the Original. I will never deviate from it again.
06/21/2013

Makes My Skin Look Dry
When this product came out, I rushed to the boutique and tried it. My rep at the boutique told me people normally need to go a shade darker, but I color matched the same as my loose powder.
The thing is that I use both, and the READY foundation makes my skin look flaky and dry by midday. I do not have this problem when I wear the loose powder. It looks natural, covers my red, and I look great all day when I wear the original powder. Even my boyfriend has commented on it. I am trying some new things, like loose mineral veil instead of the READY mineral veil, or a light coat of loose powder after I apply the READY, but it seems to defeat the purpose of buying it, which was to make my morning routine a little quicker.
I don't notice the cakiness people have talked about, but I do agree with other reviewers who said it isn't the swirl, tap, brush system. When I bought the powder, they told me to press, and that has always worked for me. My issue is that my skin doesn't seem to hold the coverage.
I have worn this product for a few months, but I am much happier with the loose powder.
06/21/2013

The best foundation ever
I used countless products before I discovered BareMinerals ! I no longer breakout I get great coverage and the sunscreen I need. I've been using this for about five years now ! No need to look any farther ! I love it. It fast easy to use. I also use the skin care line. Absolutely adore the entire line of beauty products.
06/17/2013

Ugh...
I've been using the original foundation for several years and constantly get compliments from people I know and strangers on the street as to what gorgeous skin I have. I am blessed with good skin and genes, but my diligent care and attention to my skin has paid off over the years.
When I saw this new "cake" formula SPF 20 Ready Foundation, I just couldn't even wait till I ran out of the original foundation I had. I bought it, bought the special brush and ran home to try it. When I looked at the final result, I burst out laughing. It looked like I had on pale, pale "pancake" makeup from the 1950's. It was hideous. I ran back to my car and brought it back for a full refund!
That being said, I think this may do well on someone who has some issues with their skin where more heavy coverage is required. But....listen to whoever tells you to order a shade or two darker...you really need it.
Disappointed, but back to my original foundation and am happy as a clam.
06/17/2013

Great product--if you find the right shade
I had been using the original powder when I decided to give Ready a try. I tried 3 or 4 different shades (had to return to the store to swap each time.) I gave up on the Boutique helpers, gave up on other stores' helpers, and, by myself, smeared on several different shades on one side of my face near the jaw line, and literally walked out on to the street and went home. I waited for a couple of hours and re-checked my face, and found the shade that matched really well--and that was that! I have since stopped using the powder.
So my conclusion is: If you find yourself looking pasty, and the Ready makeup "cakey"--you are using the wrong shade.
However, I do find the Ready a bit on the matte side for me, even though I do have oily skin, my mature skin doesn't look too good with matte foundations. So in addition to moisturizing, I tried two different things: I added a bit of luminizer to my cheeks and I used the moisturizing mineral veil. Both seem to help, though I kinda like the latter better. Of course it is summer right now. I may have to switch back to the Original powder when the weather turns cold.
06/11/2013

Perfection, but Shade-Matching is a MUST!
I immediately scheduled an appointment with my local boutique when this was released to get shade-matched & purchase this & I must say it is ESSENTIAL! ALL the formulations are slightly different, so I'm Fairly Light in Original & Golden Fair in Matte. Since I vary, I wasn't sure what color I'd be in the READY so I definitely needed help. I thought I might be Medium Beige since that's what most people who're Fairly Light in Original go to in the READY, but when I got to the appointment, I found I am the exception to the rule! I am Fairly Light in both the READY foundation & Original! I was very surprised. Most people need to go up 2 shades in the READY foundations than their normal shade. I highly recommend that you go to your local boutique or Sephora to get shade-matched if you can. It is indeed vital if you want a perfect match. Also, the Precision Face Brush is a MUST-HAVE if you use this.
06/07/2013

Better than the original loose mineral foundation
First, let me start by saying that if you've read the reviews that say they looked like a ghost after applying Ready Foundation, they didn't get color matched and assumed they were the same shade as the loose mineral foundation. Second, if they said that the make up looked cakey and made them look overdone, they didn't apply the Ready Foundation correctly. Don't go by these reviews!!
You absolutely MUST be color matched if you want to try the Ready Foundation. I wear Fair in the loose mineral foundation, but I wear Fairly Light in the Ready Wear. You also must either watch Leslie's videos or have a consultant at a boutique show you how to apply the Ready Wear because you DO NOT swirl, tap, buff. If you do this, you will hate how it looks on you.
Having said that, I absolutely love the Ready Foundation and will not be returning to the loose mineral foundation. I have always loved Bare Minerals original formula, but I was never truly happy with the coverage. I have uneven skin tone plus redness plus oily skin. I felt the matte formula still didn't do anything for my shine, and I had to reapply several times throughout the day. I decided to try the new Ready Foundation, and the coverage is amazing! It evens my skin tone without washing me out and it controls my oil much better. I don't have to reapply throughout the day, which is wonderful! Application is also much faster because it doesn't take much of the new formula to get the coverage I like. Trust me when I say that a little bit goes a long way with this makeup.
You really must give it a try! I can't sing its praises enough!
06/07/2013

Get Ready for compliments
I am amazed at how such a small amount of this foundation goes such a long way. Literally, you lightly tap your brush (NOT a sponge) on the product and buff in a circular motion over your entire face. Feel like you need a little more coverage? Lightly tap the product with your brush again. Two taps and I have great coverage that lasts a long time. My skin looks flawless even though it feels like I'm going bare. True story: Two days after I started wearing Ready I received a compliment from a complete stranger. In the past friends and family were always good about saying I looked great or my make up looked great. But, this time after a single application at 6:00 a.m., I was grocery shopping at about 7:00 p.m. and a lady stopped me to say that I had great skin! I smiled and said thanks and she said "no really, and I am a retired aesthetician". She wasn't selling anything, just a flat out compliment. (woot!) P.S. Be sure to get color matched, you will not wear the same shade as you do with the loose mineral foundation.
06/05/2013

Truly THE BEST
I have used sooo many foundations. Chanel, Burberry, Laura Mercier...you name it. Once I tried this foundation there was no need to look further. I have normal skin, oily around the t-zone. I use this foundation with the regular Prime Time Foundation Primer. I then use Stroke of Light as my under eye concealer. I apply the foundation with the Full Flawless facebrush (I tap once and swirl all over my face). I finish with the Ready Mineral Veil. It's absolute perfection. MAKE SURE YOU ARE COLORED MATCHED!!!!!
06/04/2013

Juggalo Surprise
I have used and really enjoyed the loose powder original foundation in Fair. When I saw a compact with a higher SPF and the opportunity to not have to deal with the loose powder flying around as much, I was excited. I grabbed my same shade, Fair, and took it home. The next morning I put it on and enjoyed the easy compact and the feel of the foundation on my skin and the coverage...but just as I was heading out the door, I realized that it looked like I'd applied pale white stage makeup. I could have put a little dot faux-mole beside my lip and gone to work as Marie Antoinette. I went through a whole day of having a ghostly face, plus a business dinner, looking like I was a fan of the Insane Clown Posse. Embarrassing. And, when I got home at the end of the day, I saw that the makeup had become pale and cakey; it also felt really thick on my skin by the end of the day, almost melted. I'm going to return it to the store tomorrow, and I'm wondering if I should even try another shade or just go back to dealing with the loose powder.
05/30/2013

The powder is better.
The colors also do not match which was my biggest problem with it. I wear Medium Beige in the powder and it's perfect. This stuff is about one shade too light. I was color matched at Sephora and they advised the Medium Beige in the Ready Foundation was the best match for me. It seemed fine, until I looked in my car mirrors while outside in daylight. I took it back and switched it for the powder. If the colors matched perfectly like the powder, I would've tried using it longer.
I have 2 red, blemishes and it did seem to cover them up better than the powder and concealer brush..but since this is the only thing new I have used, this product might actually have given them to me in the first place. I saw another reviewer also mention breakouts since using it. It might even be good as a concealer underneath the powder.
I bought this thinking it'd be like other compacts that typically come with some kind of brush making it super easy to use while on the go. Nobody at Sephora mentioned that it doesn't. Not being easy to use on the go kind of defeats the purpose for me. You still have to kind of tap it and make a mess everywhere.
08/03/2013

I loved it at first too
Although I don't think it lived up to its selling point of "lasting 12 hours," like the person in the salon told me, I did like the even coverage at first, especially with the new brush designed for it. First one was about 1/2 way gone when I dropped it, and it broke. OK, I figured I'd have to be more careful. Now that I'm 1/2 way through the second one, and the center is getting thinner, and this one cracked into pieces, without dropping it. Now it's impossible to use without wasting a lot of it! Too bad, I like the first 1/2 each time, but at $27, I can't really afford to throw 1/2 away.
08/03/2013

I wanted to love it....
I really loved this product at first. I loved it so much I went out and bought another one; 1 for home and 1 for the gym. The one in my gym bag gets tossed around a little bit and cracked and started falling out when opened, making a huge mess of small foundation pieces, I had to toss it. The one at home I dropped a few inches into the sink and has now suffered the same fate. I think it just breaks too easily and when it does break, it breaks into a million different pieces and cannot be salvaged.
08/02/2013

Going back to the original powder
I tried this on in a Bare Minerals store and loved it at first because the color was perfect and had great coverage. However the gal at the counter did tell me the colors are different from the powders. I am a light in the original powder and a med beige in this product. Once I got it home and continued using it I had more breakouts then I have had in the past 10 years. My skin seemed more oily from using this product, I normally have combination skin. I am still young so I don't really have wrinkles but yet the cakeyness of this foundation would create lines on my face. It does have good coverage if you have blemishes, but it was creating more zits and blemishes. I am going back to the original powder. I didn't have any of these issues with that product. I also dropped the compact on the floor within the first week. So it crumbled making it extremely hard to not make a giant mess/waste product, this is one pro to the powder because if I drop it its already in a powder form.
07/27/2013

Better than MAC
I tried the Bare Minerals foundation before and liked the coverage but didn't like the mess so much. I was excited to see and hear that they had a Ready Foundation!! I love it!! It cover great and is light weight. I love it better than MAC and I used it for years and this is much better in my opinion!!
07/24/2013

Nice coverage without looking Fake!
It's not as blendable as the other 2 foundations Bare Escentuals has but I like the coverage. Also it doesn't tell you what brush to use for it but I use a full body brush to apply this foundation. It can get a bit messy with powder everywhere since it's a solid compact and using a brush with it instead of a sponge. There is no sponge or applicator that comes with this compact foundation. For me the coverage is enough with 1 applications with a brush without tapping the brush. I love the color ranges it has, my skin tone is a perfect match with color W20 (Golden Medium) in the fall to mid spring.
07/20/2013

your skin but better
I tried the READY foundation during debut on QVC but sent it back because I thought it wasn't good for my combo skin type. Decided to give it another try when it came w/the QVC TSV and so glad I did! I bought same two shades that I use with original, one for winter/summer, and they both matched. The finish is dewy and full coverage. I took it to Aruba and it did not budge with the heat and sweat, even when swimming. It leaves a subtle glow to my skin and in my opinion, makes it look clear and porcelain-like. Has not clogged my pores and I find that it helps control my oil production which is AMAZING. LOVE BAREMINERALS FOR LIFE
07/19/2013

Perfect Make-Up
I have very oily skin and I usually cannot gain decent coverage without a liquid foundation and a matte finish to keep my make-up on all day long. This make-up doesn't smudge or melt away like other make-ups. Its coverage is awesome and it always looks flawless on!
07/18/2013

100% Improvement over loose minerals
Ok, so Ive been using the bareMinerals loose foundation in Medium Beige for years. Ive used both the Matte and the Origional. As I get older, Ive decided that more coverage is what I need. Well I went to the bareMinerals boutique in my local area to get color matched as per the video in this website, and other reviews. Suprisingly enough, I was the same medium beige!
I cannot express how much better this product is for me. First of all the application is faster and easier. No buffing. Less waste, less mess. It looks dewey and supple. It feels creamy yet light. I feel like Im wearing no makeup, but look great! I also bought the retractble angle brush to apply this product, which I think is key. This has a flawless finish and really does last all day. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!!!
07/11/2013

Best foundation on the market!
My skin was always a challenge for me - acne prone, sensitive, allergy prone, and combination areas. I tried Bare Minerals four years ago and I've been using it since. The READY Foundation is my favorite. I prefer it to the Original loose powder foundations. My suggestions for best results: 1) Get "Color-matched". It applies lighter than the loose powders. 2) Invest in the Precision Face Brush. It saves time and product. I use very little product and light strokes. I get numerous compliments on my skin.
07/09/2013

No way
I've used the loose powder for years. I was ready for a little more coverage and welcomed the new compact version. This foundation was not for me. It did not go on smoothly and did not blend well (I also purchased the recommended brush). It accentuated every wrinkle and poor on my face even with a primer. My face looks very flat and matted. I agree with the other reviewer that is was a very unnatural look. I am taking this back right away!
07/06/2013

It takes some practice, but it's worth it!
So, I see around online that there are a lot of complaints about the shades, the loss of product, etc. and I totally understand the frustration. Hopefully this review will help with some of that.
First of all, yeah, you'll need to get shade matched for the pressed Ready foundation. Which sucks, I know - if you can't get to a Sephora or a Bare Minerals store, if you have to order online, then what do you do? I think Bare Minerals should have taken some extra time, if that's what was necessary, to do some extra work and make sure the shades matched in the pressed and the loose. It's a problem in their matte formulation too - they didn't shade match that either, and it's way too dark in every shade, even Fair. But I don't like the matte, so it's not a problem for me, but I can see it being problematic for others.
In the loose original BM, I'm straight up Golden Fair. But in the pressed Ready foundation, I'm Fairly Light, which I could never ever wear in the loose.
All that being said, I LOVE the way the pressed Fairly Light matches my skin tone. It's as close to perfect as I've ever gotten. So my advice is, if you can get shade matched, it's well worth it.
As for applying it - yes, there is a trick. The girl at the BM store said it's completely different than the usual "swirl/tap/buff" method. First, if you have a flat-topped brush, it works much better than a kabuki. Second, very very gently tap the top of the brush directly down onto the foundation, don't sweep it across. Sweeping it will give you too much fallout of product, and you'll have nowhere to put it. So a straight down tapping motion with a flat brush, almost like you were blotting the powder with the brush, gets enough on there without a lot of fallout and wasted product, and without getting too much onto your face at once. Then begin applying as normal. You may have to do a couple of lighter layers with this method, and build it more, but it's worth it. Just remember to use a very, very light hand with getting it onto the brush.
Hope all of this helps! I love this enough that I truly think it deserves a full five hearts. The more I wear this, the more I love it even more than the regular loose! Once you get the right application down with the right brush, the coverage and finish are gorgeous!
07/05/2013

Cakey Disappointment
After using the original foundation for three years then switching to the matte foundation for another three years, I tried the Ready foundation when hearing so much praise from the Bare Escentuals saleslady. I was so excited to try the new foundation that was compact, had a built-in mirror, and was supposed to last 4 hours longer. What a disappointment. I have worn the Ready foundation many times now, and every time I put it on I somehow convince myself the outcome will be different. But no, it is always cakey and always too pale. It's like putting on a new layer of skin that's WORSE than your own skin that you're trying to cover up! What is make-up for again???
Now I'm $30 short and racking my brain to figure out if I can give this foundation to someone so it won't go to waste. In the end, I know it'll go in the trash cause I'm not a mean enough person to let a friend wear such cakey make-up.
Back to matte I go, which is another $30...but it was really $60 since it took the first $30 to realize that I should've just bought the matte foundation in the first place.
07/04/2013

Wanted to love it, but...
Gosh, this sounded perfect! More moisturizing, amazing coverage, long wearing....but there isn't a color for me. I'm a perfect medium beige in the powder, but in the Ready, it looks chalky. With summer approaching, we decided that medium tan was my best bet. But it is too dark, and it just isn't right.
LESLIE, GIVE US MORE COLORS!!! PLEASE.!??
07/04/2013

READY to be Fabulous
This foundation covers much better than the loose powder foundation, but is still as light as the loose powder. The only downfall is that it does not last all day
07/03/2013

love Love LOVE!!!
I can not say how much I love this product. Don't get me wrong, I liked the loose powder, but this gives me more coverage in half the time. I have very oily skin, and so the loose powder didn't last all day for me. This comes pretty darn close. I use the oil control primer, then a little mineral veil, then I use the foundation. It takes all of 30 seconds to apply and I have great flawless healthly looking skin (great coverage even over my few blemishes as well) I always put a little mineral veil on top of the foundation for a little extra oil control. Without touch ups, I am a little oily at the end of the day, but nothing major. At night I am always surprised when I look in the mirror and see that I still have about 85% of the coverage that I started the morning with. :) (although I got to thinking that I rest my face on my hands a lot at work while reading something, so this could have something to do with the loss of coverage) I love Ready, and will never go back to anything else.
07/01/2013

Great coverage, not long-lasting
Disclaimer: I have super super oily skin, which means NO foundation lasts through the day. This is no exception. I do not use any moisturizer on my skin other than the Multi-wrinkle Repair and the Primer for oily skin. But oily and hydrated are not the same, so I really like that this is hydrating and the coverage is shockingly good. I also find that the wear improves by a final touch with the Ready Mineral Veil. Never liked the BM loose mineral products, what a mess! But have become a total convert to the brand thanks to the Ready product line!
06/27/2013

Love READY foundation
i have oily skin and do not like the feel of liquid makeup, but need something with more coverage than a basic powder. READY foundation is perfect! i love the way it goes on...effortless. it covers and gives me the powdery finish all day without separating in the memphis summer humidity. i use it with the oil control primer and the mineral veil with sparkles in it.
06/27/2013

Great coverage and lasts all day
I have very oily skin and occasional blemishes. This foundation when used on top of the mineral veil stays put all day even when I sweat. It covers blemishes and imperfections well. It is easy to get too much on so go easy when using it. I love the compact and the ease of using the product.
06/22/2013

Oily
I really like this foundation, but since using it my T-Zones have become much oiler!! I like the way it goes on & how it's so quick to apply and go, but my face gets too oily, maybe it will work better in the colder months, but it's back to the Original foundation, which never did that to my skin.
06/21/2013

Wish I didn't waste my money
I have been using the loose powder foundation since I was 17 (about 3 years) and have fallen in love with it. I have sensitive skin and it was the only foundation that didn't make me break out. I was about to head off to a semester abroad in England and when I saw the READY Foundation I thought it would be easier to travel with. It was easier to travel with but that is the only good thing about it. I went to get color matched so it wasn't the color that was the problem. It was how it sat on my skin. It made me look horrible. It made my pores look huge and when first applied it made my skin look extremely dry. Then after a few hours my face looked extremely oily. I have naturally skin but it has never looked that horrible when I used the Original. As soon as I came back to the States I went straight for the Original. I will never deviate from it again.
06/21/2013

Makes My Skin Look Dry
When this product came out, I rushed to the boutique and tried it. My rep at the boutique told me people normally need to go a shade darker, but I color matched the same as my loose powder.
The thing is that I use both, and the READY foundation makes my skin look flaky and dry by midday. I do not have this problem when I wear the loose powder. It looks natural, covers my red, and I look great all day when I wear the original powder. Even my boyfriend has commented on it. I am trying some new things, like loose mineral veil instead of the READY mineral veil, or a light coat of loose powder after I apply the READY, but it seems to defeat the purpose of buying it, which was to make my morning routine a little quicker.
I don't notice the cakiness people have talked about, but I do agree with other reviewers who said it isn't the swirl, tap, brush system. When I bought the powder, they told me to press, and that has always worked for me. My issue is that my skin doesn't seem to hold the coverage.
I have worn this product for a few months, but I am much happier with the loose powder.
06/21/2013

The best foundation ever
I used countless products before I discovered BareMinerals ! I no longer breakout I get great coverage and the sunscreen I need. I've been using this for about five years now ! No need to look any farther ! I love it. It fast easy to use. I also use the skin care line. Absolutely adore the entire line of beauty products.
06/17/2013

Ugh...
I've been using the original foundation for several years and constantly get compliments from people I know and strangers on the street as to what gorgeous skin I have. I am blessed with good skin and genes, but my diligent care and attention to my skin has paid off over the years.
When I saw this new "cake" formula SPF 20 Ready Foundation, I just couldn't even wait till I ran out of the original foundation I had. I bought it, bought the special brush and ran home to try it. When I looked at the final result, I burst out laughing. It looked like I had on pale, pale "pancake" makeup from the 1950's. It was hideous. I ran back to my car and brought it back for a full refund!
That being said, I think this may do well on someone who has some issues with their skin where more heavy coverage is required. But....listen to whoever tells you to order a shade or two darker...you really need it.
Disappointed, but back to my original foundation and am happy as a clam.
06/17/2013

Great product--if you find the right shade
I had been using the original powder when I decided to give Ready a try. I tried 3 or 4 different shades (had to return to the store to swap each time.) I gave up on the Boutique helpers, gave up on other stores' helpers, and, by myself, smeared on several different shades on one side of my face near the jaw line, and literally walked out on to the street and went home. I waited for a couple of hours and re-checked my face, and found the shade that matched really well--and that was that! I have since stopped using the powder.
So my conclusion is: If you find yourself looking pasty, and the Ready makeup "cakey"--you are using the wrong shade.
However, I do find the Ready a bit on the matte side for me, even though I do have oily skin, my mature skin doesn't look too good with matte foundations. So in addition to moisturizing, I tried two different things: I added a bit of luminizer to my cheeks and I used the moisturizing mineral veil. Both seem to help, though I kinda like the latter better. Of course it is summer right now. I may have to switch back to the Original powder when the weather turns cold.
06/11/2013

Perfection, but Shade-Matching is a MUST!
I immediately scheduled an appointment with my local boutique when this was released to get shade-matched & purchase this & I must say it is ESSENTIAL! ALL the formulations are slightly different, so I'm Fairly Light in Original & Golden Fair in Matte. Since I vary, I wasn't sure what color I'd be in the READY so I definitely needed help. I thought I might be Medium Beige since that's what most people who're Fairly Light in Original go to in the READY, but when I got to the appointment, I found I am the exception to the rule! I am Fairly Light in both the READY foundation & Original! I was very surprised. Most people need to go up 2 shades in the READY foundations than their normal shade. I highly recommend that you go to your local boutique or Sephora to get shade-matched if you can. It is indeed vital if you want a perfect match. Also, the Precision Face Brush is a MUST-HAVE if you use this.
06/07/2013

Better than the original loose mineral foundation
First, let me start by saying that if you've read the reviews that say they looked like a ghost after applying Ready Foundation, they didn't get color matched and assumed they were the same shade as the loose mineral foundation. Second, if they said that the make up looked cakey and made them look overdone, they didn't apply the Ready Foundation correctly. Don't go by these reviews!!
You absolutely MUST be color matched if you want to try the Ready Foundation. I wear Fair in the loose mineral foundation, but I wear Fairly Light in the Ready Wear. You also must either watch Leslie's videos or have a consultant at a boutique show you how to apply the Ready Wear because you DO NOT swirl, tap, buff. If you do this, you will hate how it looks on you.
Having said that, I absolutely love the Ready Foundation and will not be returning to the loose mineral foundation. I have always loved Bare Minerals original formula, but I was never truly happy with the coverage. I have uneven skin tone plus redness plus oily skin. I felt the matte formula still didn't do anything for my shine, and I had to reapply several times throughout the day. I decided to try the new Ready Foundation, and the coverage is amazing! It evens my skin tone without washing me out and it controls my oil much better. I don't have to reapply throughout the day, which is wonderful! Application is also much faster because it doesn't take much of the new formula to get the coverage I like. Trust me when I say that a little bit goes a long way with this makeup.
You really must give it a try! I can't sing its praises enough!
06/07/2013

Get Ready for compliments
I am amazed at how such a small amount of this foundation goes such a long way. Literally, you lightly tap your brush (NOT a sponge) on the product and buff in a circular motion over your entire face. Feel like you need a little more coverage? Lightly tap the product with your brush again. Two taps and I have great coverage that lasts a long time. My skin looks flawless even though it feels like I'm going bare. True story: Two days after I started wearing Ready I received a compliment from a complete stranger. In the past friends and family were always good about saying I looked great or my make up looked great. But, this time after a single application at 6:00 a.m., I was grocery shopping at about 7:00 p.m. and a lady stopped me to say that I had great skin! I smiled and said thanks and she said "no really, and I am a retired aesthetician". She wasn't selling anything, just a flat out compliment. (woot!) P.S. Be sure to get color matched, you will not wear the same shade as you do with the loose mineral foundation.
06/05/2013

Truly THE BEST
I have used sooo many foundations. Chanel, Burberry, Laura Mercier...you name it. Once I tried this foundation there was no need to look further. I have normal skin, oily around the t-zone. I use this foundation with the regular Prime Time Foundation Primer. I then use Stroke of Light as my under eye concealer. I apply the foundation with the Full Flawless facebrush (I tap once and swirl all over my face). I finish with the Ready Mineral Veil. It's absolute perfection. MAKE SURE YOU ARE COLORED MATCHED!!!!!
06/04/2013

Juggalo Surprise
I have used and really enjoyed the loose powder original foundation in Fair. When I saw a compact with a higher SPF and the opportunity to not have to deal with the loose powder flying around as much, I was excited. I grabbed my same shade, Fair, and took it home. The next morning I put it on and enjoyed the easy compact and the feel of the foundation on my skin and the coverage...but just as I was heading out the door, I realized that it looked like I'd applied pale white stage makeup. I could have put a little dot faux-mole beside my lip and gone to work as Marie Antoinette. I went through a whole day of having a ghostly face, plus a business dinner, looking like I was a fan of the Insane Clown Posse. Embarrassing. And, when I got home at the end of the day, I saw that the makeup had become pale and cakey; it also felt really thick on my skin by the end of the day, almost melted. I'm going to return it to the store tomorrow, and I'm wondering if I should even try another shade or just go back to dealing with the loose powder.
05/30/2013